Buffalo Dude

So I'm winding down Topanga Canyon blvd, and I start to think "this would be so much funner if I could corner that much better" and I remember a lot of people adding spreader bars to connect their shock towers. I looked into it, and saw VBP sells a pre-made one for around $90 and I don't think I could make one for cheaper. I've also heard adding something like this makes splitting the a-arm mountings much less probable. However, I also remember problems for people who don't have electric fans (and I don't) so just wanted to see what opinions there are. Should I go with VBP spreader bar or should I try to fab one up? Maybe a combination of the two? What kind of setup do you guys have?

turtlevette

they don't work with engine driven fan.

Mako72

I've been interested in this also. At this years Bloomington Gold show, I talked with VBP about their spreader bar. They indicated that it would help handling by eliminating flex and would also help frame weld cracking from occuring. They indicated that their spreader bar would fit on my '72 smallblock with the factory clutch fan, something I made a point to ask. I would just have to position the bar mounting hardware, mark the tab locations and weld the tabs to the mounting plates. No welding required on the frame whats so ever. I too would like to hear from others who have done this install. Charles

Buffalo Dude

I guess that's one more reason to go find some electric fans...

Brutus

Here's the one I built.

mrvette

Brutus, nice car there, but with that steering on the 'rong' side, it sure looks 'weird'......that steering box is out of what???



GENE

LiveandLetDrive

Who's giving you your information turtlevette? Get the unwelded version, and you can make it fit a engine-driven fan car.

-Chris

MN-Brent

The unwelded version allow you to trial fit before welding-so the literature says.
Brent...

turtlevette

I've looked at it, looked at it and looked at it some more. Trial fitting playing around.

For my car, it just ain't gonna work until such time i go to electric fan.

Buffalo Dude

Brutus, I like your setup. What materials did you use and where'd you get them?

Mako72

Turtlevette, that is interesting. I'd like to order the VBP bar but if it's not going to fit, ain't no point. Has anybody else out there sucessfully installed the VBP unwelded version on a factory pulley-clutch fan smallblock?

Brutus

Gene...That steering box is out of a Toyota Cressida I beblieve. It's a common box to use with the conversions over here along with a Ford box as well. These are full power boxes which negate the use of the power assist units that are original to the Vettes of our era.

The brackets are made from just plate steel that I cut to the shape of the templates I used to come up with the final shape. The bar is stainless tube fitted with Heim joints and held to the brackets with stainless bolts and nuts.
Here are the brackets as they were mocked up from MDF with plastic conduit used to substitute for the bar.




Bob


[Modified by Brutus, 11:15 AM 7/5/2004]

Eddie 70

I have the premade bar on mine but I do have an electric fan on mine. The install was a breeze and can be done in less than an hour. You may have to use a rat tail file on the mounting holes to clean the powder coating out and make installation easier.

I wrote this how to...... https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...=252&TopicID=3

MrForce

Installation concerns aside. Is there a noticeable improvement in handling? Is the bar more important with a larger wheel/tire combo such as 17's?

rob

flynhi

I installed my weld it yourself VB spreader bar on my SBC/mech fan and felt a tremendous improvement in stiffness and cornering ability with BFG 245/60/15s. Later I reinstalled the same bar on my 383/electric fan and 17" yokos. Even better cornering.

Highly recommended.

MrForce

Thanks!